Pixie’s Pen Pals

ADOPTION APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN AND WE’RE LOOKING FOR FOSTERS & VOLUNTEERS

Pixie’s Pen Pals is back in action! After three years on hold due to COVID-19, Pen Pals is celebrating the first graduating class of pups from Beaumont Correctional Center.

Check out FETCH a Cure’s social media, newsletters, and petfinder to get to know these special dogs.

Join us for our next Pixie’s Pen Pals Training on March 19th at 6PM at 2SpeakDog. RSVP Here.

See our FAQ below to learn more about adopting a Pen Pals pup.

 

Enriching the lives of dogs and inmates…

 

Partnering with the Virginia Department of Corrections, FETCH A Cure’s Pixie’s Pen Pals places homeless dogs from local animal shelters in the care of men and women incarcerated at Virginia correctional centers.

With the guidance of professional canine behaviorists, inmates in the Pen Pals program serve as “Handlers” to train, socialize, and provide around-the-clock care for rescue dogs in preparation for adoption — all from within the prison.

We transfer an average of 80 dogs/year from shelters around Virginia. The dogs are trained and housed in the prison for a minimum of 8 weeks before “graduating” and moving into their loving adoptive homes!

 

Benefits of a Prison Program

 

Certainly, our program helps reduce overcrowding and euthanasia rates in Virginia’s shelters. But Pen Pals helps people as much as pups.

Our program supports the rehabilitation of people serving sentences in prison. Handlers learn and exercise skills and techniques that are useful both professionally and in life. By working cooperatively to help the animals, Handlers also practice effective communication, patience, and confidence.

Ultimately, the skills learned and responsibilities assigned to the Handlers can help prepare a person for life outside prison. After their release, some Pen Pals Handlers go on to work with animals… Some even becoming professional dog trainers themselves!

Most importantly, the opportunity to bond with a canine companion imparts countless benefits to mental health and overall well-being for both the Handler and dog.

Each time a dog graduates the program to go to her forever home, her Handler feels a sense of accomplishment and pride for all the work they’ve done to prepare the dog for a good life, leaving a smile on both ends of the leash.

 

Training our Handlers to Train Dogs

Trainer and Behavior Specialist Kasey Herrera devotes her time (and sometimes her home) to our Pen Pals program! Kasey teaches the Handlers a comprehensive, tailored curriculum that covers everything from the bare boned basics of pet care to complex canine and human psychology.

Kasey visits our Handlers weekly to work face-to-face with each person and dog inside the correctional facility. The group works collaboratively with Kasey to think of creative solutions for training dogs in their more restrictive prison environment.

Kasey often stays in touch with handlers who have been released and gone on to have careers in pet care and training.

 

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Pixie’s Pen Pals is a program of the former Save Our Shelters. FETCH was chosen to run this program after the Save Our Shelters organization dissolved in 2010. The program continues on with FETCH a Cure, in honor of Pixie Williams, former director of the Save Our Shelters Pen Pals program. Pixie lost her battle to cancer in 2009. She was a strong advocate for animal welfare – first as an SOS volunteer, later as a board member, and then as president. In the last year of her life, Pixie served as the Director of Save Our Shelter’s Pen Pals program. Not only did Pixie have a passion for animals, she was a strong advocate for spay and neuter, as well as for the adoption of abandoned dogs and cats. We are inspired by Pixie and are committed to improving the quality of life for all animals. 

FAQ

Can I adopt a Pen Pals dog?

Yes!

While not every dog is ready to go home quite yet, you are welcome to submit an application for any of our current dogs in training.

Each dog stays in the care of her Handlers until she is ready to be adopted. This can take anywhere from 8 weeks to many months depending on the needs of the dog and the training objectives of the Handlers.

Are there any prerequisites for adoption?

The dog’s primary caretaker must be at least 21 years old.

We will not release a dog into a household in which a resident has been convicted of an animal welfare law violation such as neglect, cruelty, abandonment, etc.

All adopters must allow a brief home tour with a Pen Pals representative.

All other pets must be up-to-date on vaccinations and spayed or neutered.

While adopters are not required to have a yard or a fenced-in yard, we strongly discourage the use of electric or invisible fencing.

We strongly encourage all adopters to visit the dog and Handlers at the correctional facility before taking her home.

What is the adoption process like?

First, submit your adoption application!

Our Pen Pals Coordinator will then reach out to schedule a home visit and arrange a time to visit the correctional facility and meet with the dog and Handlers. We encourage all family members over the age of 18 to attend.

If you have other pets at home, the Pen Pals Coordinator may also schedule a separate meet and greet between the animals.

What should I know about visiting the prison?

Adoption visits are exclusively conducted during business hours on weekdays and can require more than 2 hours of travel time.

All visitors must be 18 years of age. You may only carry your ID and car key into the facility. All other personal items must be locked in your vehicle. You are expected to adhere to the dress code and security procedures mandated by each facility.

You, the handlers, and the dog will meet in a visitation room or other common area where the handlers will explain the dog’s progress while in the program and give tips for how to provide the best care possible!

What will my dog know?

The training of each dog is different based on the needs of the individual dog. All dogs work on leash walking skills, house training, crate training, and general manners. The training curriculum is based on the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen test.

How much does it cost to adopt a Pen Pals dog?

The adoption fee for a Pen Pals dog is $350 for dogs 5 years and under and $250 for dogs 6 years and older. This fee covers spay/neuter, microchipping, vaccinations, heartworm tests/treatment, preventative medicine, and the dog’s training. When you adopt a dog, you also receive a 5.5 pound bag of Zignature dog food, a collar, leash, harness, and a lifetime 5% discount on food from RedRidge Pet Market in Henrico.

Can you help me rehome or surrender my own dog?

No, we do not accept animals from the public.

We partner with local shelters to identify dogs for the program. We ourselves are not a shelter.

How can I support your program?

You can still support Pen Pals beyond adopting a dog yourself! We always need supplies, whether purchased through one of our Amazon Wishlist or donated gently used. If you aren’t sure what to give, monetary donations all go back to support the programs. FETCH a Cure Wishlist 

 

Foster homes and other volunteers are crucial to the success of our program! Please fill out a Volunteer Application and sign up to receive updates on upcoming opportunities… We have a FETCH Volunteer Sign Up as well as a Pen Pals specific list. Email lara@fetchacure.org to learn more.